Friday's tips for the Cheltenham Festival 2018

Bruce Springsteen on Donald Trump: 'I can't explain him'

Following last month’s launch of Bruce Springsteen’s autobiography Born to Run, GQ joined the "The Boss" at the Institute of Contemporary Art to hear about his life, his fans and his views on Donald Trump.

1. Bruce Springsteen’s childhood dreams

As a 15 year old, Bruce longed for the day that Mick Jagger would call in sick for work so that he would then be handpicked by the Rolling Stones to replace the frontman. “All I wanted to do was play rhythm guitar in a local band. But eventually fantasies become limitless.”

2. His first time in London

His first time in the capital in 1975 was far from ideal as the build-up surrounding his arrival clashed with his main musical philosophy. “I was frightened and pissed. I arrived at the Hammersmith Odeon and I was met with this sea of posters that claimed I was the ‘next big thing.’ The promoters shouldn’t decide that. The fans should decide.""

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It’s no secret that Springsteen is an anti-Trump enthusiast. During one concert earlier this year, Bruce held aloft a sign that read "F*** TRUMP." “He’s doing a terrible, terrible thing, almost undermining the democratic process as he knows that he won’t win. Would I be able to explain what Trump is? Nobody’s been able to do that.’

4. Springsteen’s dream line-up

‘I wouldn’t be able to pick and choose from different bands. It’s a tough one. It’s not really about who is the best musically or technically. A band is not about the individual, it’s about the chemistry. You could have the best musicians in the world together, but they could still go to shit.’

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5. How many times has he signed his name?

"17,000 f***in' times."

6. The controversy surrounding Bob Dylan’s Nobel Prize

Springsteen first met Bob Dylan in 1974, aged twenty-five. Despite recent criticism over Dylan’s recent Nobel Prize for literature, Springsteen believes that the award was fitting. “Bob Dylan is the father of my country. He deserves it”

7. His mother’s reaction to his book

“Was she excited about the book? She’s excited about any fucking thing I do.”

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8. The most frequent thing Bruce hears from fans

“Hey man! You’re shorter than I thought!”

9. How has he coped with doing 2,500 concerts?

“I’m just doing my job. I have no other skills. Performing validates my existence.”